4L80e Fluid Change

Freyguy · January 14, 2005

I bought 14 quarts of Amsoil ATF to change out my tranny fluid. I was planning on having Jiffy Lube use their machine with my fluid and I was told that they could do that. They don't drop the pan and change the filter so I went ahead and did that and filled back up with regular ATF. The next day I went to Jiffy Lube and they told me that they couldn't change the fluid in their machine. Pain in the butt part is that I talked to 2 or 3 people that said they could. Anyway, I'm going to tackle this myself now by taking the cooler line off and pumping it out and filling it through the dipstick. Here's the procedure from Amsoil I plan on using: http://www.amsoil.com/faqs/faq8.htm

Since I already dropped the pan and cleaned it and put fresh fluid and a new filter in, do I have to drop it again? I'm hoping that I can just disconnect the line and it will eventually pull out all 14 quarts of the dino ATF. Will it pull the fluid out of the pan, or will it just sit in there?

If I need to drop the pan or at least drain it, it isn't a big deal. I am just thinking that I may be wasting my time and the cooler line will pull it out anyway.

Any help you can give is appreciated.

KENWORTH-1 · January 15, 2005

Freyguy Hi,

I have the same truck you have, except I dont have the Crew Cab, so I dont know if this makes a difference or not. Im trying to change the Transmission Filter, but, ran into a snag. I cant get a wrench or a socket up to the last two pan bolts, because, of a transmission mount, that is covering up the bolts. Did you have to take off the cross member that is attached to the transmission mount, to get to the pan bolts??? I dont see any other way to get to this. How did you do yours????

Any help would be appreciated from anyone..thanks!

Freyguy · January 15, 2005

they were tricky! My crossmember must be in the same location because I thought I might have to unbolt it. I ended up using a ratcheting box style wrentch. Craftsman's new style. It got in there just fine, but it took a while since i couldn't get but a couple clicks out of it each time. A wobble fitting for a ratchet extension may work too, but I did not have one.

JRKRACE · January 15, 2005

If it where me..I would replace the filter again anyway...You never know what you stir up when you pump out a trans like that. I'll call it cheap insurance,

Freyguy · January 18, 2005

I answered my own question. I did have to drain the pan at least first because when you put fluid in the fill tube it goes straight to the pan. If you leave some in the pan, you will just be mixing new with old. When you pull the drain plug you can get most of the fluid out, but about half a quart stays in so I dropped my pan all the way down again.

Another lesson I learned: I thought that the top line going into the radiator would be the feed line pumping the tranny fluid out and then it would go down through the radiator and out the bottom. WRONG! Now my engine compartment has a nice red tint to it! Haha. I just put the hose I had on the nipple coming out of the radiator at the top and I was back in business.

Just wanted to share this info with the guys who haven't tried to change the tranny fluid yet.

KENWORTH-1 · January 18, 2005

Freyguy,

Thanks for the reply...sorry I cant answer your question, but, I have another question regarding my problem. If, I cant get a torque wrench onto the last two pan bolts, how do you torque them up to the correct specifications, so there is no leaks

Freyguy · January 19, 2005

Well.....I might not be the best one to ask about that. I need to be better about using that dang torque wrench!

I just tightened them as much as I could with the little wrench. I've checked both times after I've had it off and they haven't leaked yet and the bolts have remained tight.

KENWORTH-1 · January 20, 2005

FreyGuy,

Thanks you have been of some help..appreciate it. It looks like Im going to have to go the hard way and take off the cross member to get to the pan bolts.

Im amazed that 263 views on your topic and my problem, and no one else has chimed in here, but, one person. It seems there is not to many mechanically knowlegeable people here. I might have to spring for a shop manual in the future.

Thanks again FreyGuy.

Shotgun · January 20, 2005

Check with another oil change place in your area. I had mine done here locally and if I remember right you will need an extra quart or 2. As far as the filter I wouldn't change it again. Not really a need to do that. Good luck..Amsoil is the best and you will notice the differance.

Mark_in_Tulsa · January 20, 2005

Check with another oil change place in your area. I had mine done here locally and if I remember right you will need an extra quart or 2. As far as the filter I wouldn't change it again. Not really a need to do that. Good luck..Amsoil is the best and you will notice the differance.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Excuse the ignorance, but what is there notice, or at least what do you notice the most?

Shotgun · January 21, 2005

Check with another oil change place in your area. I had mine done here locally and if I remember right you will need an extra quart or 2. As far as the filter I wouldn't change it again. Not really a need to do that. Good luck..Amsoil is the best and you will notice the differance.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Excuse the ignorance, but what is there notice, or at least what do you notice the most?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I notice much improved shifting and and temp runs alot lower when towing.